Prior to recent weeks, if we were told we could take some time and just stay home and do whatever we want to do we would have jumped at the opportunity. Then go back to work when we are ready. True. Sounds like a good time. Right?
Photograph by Kate Holliday Photography
But when jobs are being lost and our lives are spinning out of control, when we are scared or anxious and don’t know what the next day is going to bring – it’s a different story. But this is real and it is here – not something we can turn off and forget about or ignore. Many people don’t know when or if they will have jobs to go back to when the crisis is over. Others don’t know how they will cope with the loss of income and, more important, there are many who stuffer and struggle with the virus. We are in this together and only together will we get through it regardless of age, ethnicity or economic status. We need to remain calm and rational. We need to remain together yet apart. You still have the power to make an impact in your life and in the lives of others.
It is more important now to reach out to people around you – family, friends and neighbors. Social media is great but its also a curse at times. Now is not the time to communicate only by social media. Don’t get me wrong – reach out in any way you can. But in this time when we have to stay apart we can still be seen and heard. Rather than relying on texting, take the next step. Pick up the phone and call someone or use facetime or some other means of actually putting a face to the message. A smile goes a long way in making someone (including yourself) feel less alone, less isolated. If you can’t see them or be with them, call someone with a smile on your face and take a second to not only check on their well-being but perhaps share a laugh. It’s as personal as you can get without actually being there. Then maybe at least for a few minutes that day, we can remember that we will get through this.
What an inspiring post. 🙂
Thank you!